Led by Samuel Gompers, the American Federation of Labor focused on higher wages, shorter workdays and better working conditions. Gompers avoided political issues and the American Federation of Labor was a confederation of trade unions. It was an association for self governing unions so no individual laborer could join. In order to become excepted into the American Federation of Labor one had to be considered a skilled worker no unskilled worker allowed. Because the federation was more simple and made up of skilled workers it was more successful.